Meet the Nomads – Jonny Duncan of Backpacking Man

If you’re looking for a travel blog that writes about off the beaten path destinations, tons of adventures and uniqu travel experiences then this blog is for you. Jonny Duncan of Backpacking Man has been to so many places that we could only dream about like Papua New Guinea, Kyrgyzstan, Ethiopia just to mention a few.

Jonny set off at the age of twenty back in 1997 to travel the world and stayed in Egypt for some time to work as a film extra. Afterwards, he realized that traveling and living abroad is the kind of life he would like to live. Get to know more about Jonny and visit his blog – Backpacking Man.

But before you leave this page, check out my short interview with Jonny.

How did you discover your passion for travelling?

“I grew up travelling due to my fathers work moving around different countries, so I guess it just comes naturally.”

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

“I had a blood clot in my brain burst and spill blood, causing a stroke and multiple seizures when chilling on a beach in South India.”

What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?

“So many! I would choose hiking between villages in the central mountains of Papua. I came upon a massive festival with thousands of tribal villagers killing pigs with bow and arrow, and cooking them in earth ovens. I was the only traveler there.”

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?

“That everyone everywhere in the world are basically the same.”

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

“I get bored real easy and have serious itchy feet for travel. I guess curiosity and wanting to have adventures keeps me going.”

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

“Michael Palin. He’s inspired me a lot with the travels he has done, and he seems like he would be fun to be on the road with.”

Where’s your favorite place in this planet and why?

“I can’t really answer this question because there is way to many places that I like and for different reasons. Right now I am in Kyrgyzstan for the world nomad games, so this is currently my favorite place!”

What’s your best tip for newbie traveler?

“Just get up and go! Too many people spend a lot of time in the beginning researching and so on. I enjoy just searching for a last minute cheap flight somewhere and go.”

“Again a question with so many answers. I didn’t switch my mobile phone off when meditating in a monastery with Buddhists in Sikkim, and got a text message blare out in the middle of it all. That made me and some of the younger monks giggle. But that’s just something that came to mind now, so many more can be said.”

How do you fund your travels?

“I worked in Amsterdam for a while and have some savings. I play a bit of poker from time to time when I can find easy games to help fund my trip. I’m starting to get paid a bit now for writing travel articles for other websites.”

How do you keep yourself safe on your travels?

“Ask the locals about any security situation where you plan to go if its a bit dodgy. Common street sense goes a long way. Take a taxi at night in cities with a bad reputation. Don’t draw attention to yourself in certain places.”

What do you think about yourself?

“I think that I am someone who doesn’t know how the hell to settle down! I could probably do with a shave, and a bit of exercise would certainly help my thirty seven year old self out.”

“My blog is mainly focused on an adventurous style of travel. I get off the beaten path as much as possible.” – Jonny Duncan of Backpacking Man